Friendship Fountain and the downtown Jacksonville skyline at night
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Upscale stays

Luxury hotels in Jacksonville

Pick a St. Johns River view for downtown plans, San Marco for dinner streets or an oceanfront room for beach mornings.

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About Jacksonville

Jacksonville runs from the St. Johns River east to the Atlantic beaches. Stay downtown or in Riverside for the river and its museums. The beach towns are slower, and downtown is a long drive back.

Downtown sits on both banks of the St. Johns River. The Northbank has the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and riverfront hotels. The Southbank has Friendship Fountain and the Museum of Science & History. Check which bank your hotel is on before you count on a short walk to a venue.

West of downtown, Riverside and Avondale have the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Five Points shops and neighborhood restaurants. San Marco, across the river, has its own square and dining streets. Both feel like neighborhoods, which the downtown office blocks don’t.

Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach are separate oceanfront communities east of the urban core. Beaches Town Center straddles Atlantic and Neptune beaches, while Jacksonville Beach has its own pier and dining blocks. Book a beach room for sand and surf. Downtown plans then mean a cross-town drive.

Jacksonville International Airport is north of downtown. JTA Route 1 runs from the airport to the central transfer hub. Taxis, rideshares and rental cars go straight to your hotel. Summer is hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms. Spring and fall are better for walks along the river and days outdoors.

State
Florida
Time zone
Eastern (ET)
Main airport
Jacksonville International (JAX)
River
St. Johns River
Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Airport bus
JTA Route 1
Garden paths at the Cummer Museum beside the St. Johns River
Cummer Museum gardens
Jacksonville Beach Pier reaching into the Atlantic Ocean
Jacksonville Beach Pier
Fountain and shaded paths at Balis Park in San Marco
Balis Park in San Marco
Southbank Riverwalk beside the St. Johns River in Jacksonville
Southbank Riverwalk
Small train at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Jacksonville Zoo train
Photo credits

Where to stay in Jacksonville

  • Downtown and Southbank

    • Riverfront stays
    • Events
    • First visits
    • Business trips

    Stay here for downtown events and river views. The Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts is on the Northbank. Friendship Fountain and MOSH are on the Southbank, so an evening show may mean crossing a bridge.

    Around here: St. Johns River, Friendship Fountain, Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

  • Riverside and Avondale

    • Museums
    • Dining
    • Walkable streets
    • Historic neighborhoods

    Five Points has shops and restaurants, and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens faces the river. Pick Riverside for a walkable neighborhood day. Downtown is nearby, but the beaches are a cross-town trip.

    Around here: Five Points, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Riverside Park

  • San Marco

    • Restaurants
    • Couples
    • Neighborhood stays
    • Southbank plans

    San Marco Square has restaurants and shops south of the river. Stay here for evenings away from the downtown core. Northbank venues are a drive or bus ride across the river.

    Around here: San Marco Square, St. Johns River, Friendship Fountain

  • Jacksonville and Atlantic Beaches

    • Beach days
    • Surfing
    • Oceanfront stays
    • Casual dining

    Jacksonville Beach has the pier and oceanfront blocks. Beaches Town Center sits by Atlantic and Neptune beaches. Stay here for beach days, and budget a long drive for Riverside or downtown events.

    Around here: Jacksonville Beach Pier, Beaches Town Center, Atlantic Beach

  • Northside and JAX airport

    • Early flights
    • Zoo visits
    • Road trips
    • Short stopovers

    Northside hotels are close to JAX for an early flight, and the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is in the same part of town. The riverfront and the Atlantic beaches are separate drives.

    Around here: Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, River City Marketplace

Best time to visit Jacksonville

June through September is hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms. Spring and fall are warm and have fewer wet afternoons. Winter days are mild, though evenings by the beach or the river can turn cool.

Average high and low (°F)Days with rainDrier months
  1. Jan: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F, 7.7 days with rain. Cooler winter
  2. Feb: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F, 7.7 days with rain. Mild winter
  3. Mar: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F, 8 days with rain. Spring begins
  4. Apr: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F, 6 days with rain. Warm spring
  5. May: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F, 7 days with rain. Warm and sunnier
  6. Jun: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F, 14.1 days with rain. Rainy season
  7. Jul: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F, 13.6 days with rain. Hot and humid
  8. Aug: average high 91 °F, low 73 °F, 15.1 days with rain. Hot and rainy
  9. Sep: average high 87 °F, low 70 °F, 12.4 days with rain. Rain eases
  10. Oct: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F, 8 days with rain. Warm fall
  11. Nov: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F, 6.6 days with rain. Drier days
  12. Dec: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F, 7.7 days with rain. Cooler evenings
Source: Wikipedia: Jacksonville, Florida (JAX 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals)

Getting to Jacksonville

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is north of downtown. JTA Route 1 runs to the central bus hub, and taxis, rideshares and rental cars go direct. I-95 and I-10 meet near downtown. The beaches are east of the river.

JAXJacksonville International Airport

13 mi from downtown

To Downtown
JTA Route 1 to JRTC at LaVilla, then walk or connect onward
To Jacksonville Beach
Taxi or rideshare directly to the beach; public transit needs connections

JTA Route 1 runs from JAX to JRTC at LaVilla. To go straight to your hotel, take a taxi or rideshare, or rent a car. Check where the current pickup point is.

Other ways to arrive

Car
I-95 passes downtown and I-10 approaches from the west. You’ll want a car if you plan to split your days between the river and the beach.
Bus
JTA buses run between downtown, the airport and other districts. Beach trips need connections, so check the route before you set out.
Train
Amtrak serves Jacksonville north of downtown; arrange a ride or bus onward to your hotel.

Questions about Jacksonville

Where should I book an upscale Jacksonville stay?

Downtown or the Southbank for St. Johns River views. San Marco for restaurants around its square. An oceanfront hotel if the beach comes first.

Is a river-view room the same as a beach room?

No. The St. Johns River runs through downtown, while Jacksonville Beach is east of the city center. Confirm which water your room faces.

What should I compare beyond the room price?

Check the exact view, parking, room size and cancellation terms. The same hotel can have very different room locations.

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